Ellis, Predators steal win in Chicago

Chicago, IL (SportsNetwork.com) - Ryan Ellis got the game-deciding goal early in the third period and Roman Josi assisted on all three goals as Nashville escaped Chicago with a 3-2 decision at United Center.

Mike Fisher and Patric Hornqvist netted first-period scores for the Predators, while Pekka Rinne was solid in net by making 31 stops.

Jonathan Toews and Peter Regin supplied offense for the Blackhawks, but Corey Crawford yielded all three scores on 29 shots in defeat.

The Preds were up 2-1 when Ellis went to the box late in the second period on a holding call, but survived the short-handed situation and eventually went up by two.

Josi capitalized on a blocked shot in the Chicago zone and dished ahead to Ellis, who was exiting the penalty box. He raced in on Crawford and scored with 45 seconds played in the third.

"[Josi's] got great vision," Ellis said. "He made a great pass and it all worked out for us."

The Blackhawks managed to get back to 3-2 after Regin batted a Johnny Oduya point blast out of the air and past Rinne at the 8:32 mark.

It was all the hosts could muster, as Chicago dropped its fifth game in the last eight to remain seven points back of first-place St. Louis in the Central Division.

Nashville went up 2-0 after one period of play on goals from Fisher at even strength at 15:33 and Hornqvist on the advantage at 18:51.

"It was tough to watch the last part of the first period," Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville said. "I thought that was as bad as we probably played for any stretch all year."

Chicago pulled within a goal as Toews tallied just 55 seconds later, deking a Preds defenseman and drawing Rinne out of his crease before sliding home his 26th of the season.

Game Notes

Chicago had won three in a row at home against Nashville since the Preds claimed a 6-1 victory on Mar. 25, 2012 ... Josi's three helpers were a career high.